The micropalaeontology and palynology of a putative lacustrine clay deposit at Spittalmyre Farm, Montrose [1:50k sheet 57 (E) Montrose]

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1 The micropalaeontology and palynology of a putative lacustrine clay deposit at Spittalmyre Farm, Montrose [1:50k sheet 57 (E) Montrose] Geology and Landscape Northern Britain Programme Internal Report IR/06/031

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3 BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY INTERNAL REPORT IR/06/031 The micropalaeontology and palynology of a putative lacustrine clay deposit at Spittalmyre Farm, Montrose [1:50k sheet 57 (E) Montrose] James B. Riding and Ian P. Wilkinson The National Grid and other Ordnance Survey data are used with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty s Stationery Office. Ordnance Survey licence number GD /2006 Key words pollen/spores, silicicofossils, Quaternary, lake sediments, Scotland. Bibliographical reference RIDING, JAMES B AND WILKINSON, I. P The micropalaeontology and palynology of a putative lacustrine clay deposit at Spittalmyre Farm, Montrose [1:50k sheet 57 (E) Montrose]. British Geological Survey Internal Report, IR/06/ pp. NERC 2006 Keyworth, Nottingham British Geological Survey 2006

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5 Foreword This report comprises a study of the micropalaeontology and palynology of two samples of organic clay from Spittalmyre Farm, near Montrose, Scotland. Contents Foreword... 1 Contents... 1 Summary Introduction Sample Details Results CALCAREOUS MICROPALAEONTOLOGY SILICOFOSSILS (DIATOMS) PALYNOLOGY Summary... 2 Appendix 1 Silicofossils... 3 Appendix 2 Pollen and spores References... 5 Summary The two samples proved to be entirely barren of calcareous faunas, indicating probable decalcification. Diatoms are present throughout and are relatively abundant in sample 1, where a freshwater (lacustrine) environment of late Quaternary age is indicated. The diatoms indicate shallow, slightly alkaline water. Sample 2 yielded poorly-preserved diatoms, which are consistent with freshwater conditions. Both samples produced abundant, typically British interglacial, pollen and spores. Marine forms are absent and hence a lacustrine setting is postulated. Dryopteris spores dominate both samples, and arboreal (tree)/shrub and herb pollen is present in significantly lower proportions. These associations are indicative of a shallow lake, fringed by dense stands of pteridophytes (ferns and mosses). Alternatively, the main lake or the fringes, were swampy. The palynofloras are typical of the Flandrian Stage, possibly the Atlantic or Sub-Boreal periods.. 1

6 IR/06/031 Last modified: 2006/03/09 10:40 1 Introduction Two surface/auger samples of organic clay from Spittalmyre Farm, near Montrose, Scotland [1:50k sheet 57 (E) Montrose], collected by Nick Golledge, were submitted for analysis of their microfaunas and palynology. It is thought from sedimentology and regional evidence that this deposit may be a Quaternary lacustrine sediment. The Quaternary sediments of this area are not well researched. 2 Sample Details The samples are listed in the table below. The columns represent the (informal) sample number, the BGS collection number (prefixed NKG), the grid reference (prefixed NO), the biostratigraphy section registration number (prefixed MPA) and lithology respectively. 1 NKG 024 NO MPA clay 2 NKG 025 NO MPA peaty clay 3 Results In this section of the report, the microfaunas, silicofossils and palynofloras are described. Full lists of taxa are held on the respective BGS micropalaeontology/palynology data sheets, which have been archived. 3.1 CALCAREOUS MICROPALAEONTOLOGY Both samples proved to be entirely barren of macrofossils and calcareous microfaunas such as foraminifera or ostracods. This strongly suggests that the deposit has been decalcified. 3.2 SILICOFOSSILS (DIATOMS) The diatom taxa recovered are listed in Appendix 1. The abundant silicofossils in sample 1 indicates a freshwater environment of late Quaternary age. The common diatom species are alkaliphious (i.e. a ph greater than 7), and the occurrence of Diploneis elliptica suggests shallow standing water of moderate conductivity. A lacustrine environment is therefore indicated. Sample 2 is a particularly peaty sample and yielded poorly-preserved diatoms, the majority of which could not be positively identified. The sparse diatoms that were identifiable at generic level support the interpretation of freshwater conditions in sample 2, but further conclusions cannot be drawn. 3.3 PALYNOLOGY The material was prepared using the sodium hexametaphosphate method of Riding and Kyffin- Hughes (2004). No marine grains were encountered, hence a freshwater setting is unequivocally indicated. This is supported by the occurrence of the fresh/brackish water alga Botryococcus in sample 2. The pollen and spore taxa recovered are listed in Appendix 1. Both samples proved organically-productive; the palynofloras comprises only Quaternary pollen and spores typical of 2

7 IR/06/031 Last modified: 2006/03/09 10:40 British interglacial periods. The samples are dominated by pteridophyte spores, largely Dryopteris (buckler fern), with significantly lesser numbers of arboreal (tree), shrub and herb pollen. Other fern spores present are Lycopodium (club moss), Polypodium (polypody fern), Selaginella (spike moss) and Sphagnum (moss) (see Appendix 2). Sphagnum is especially prominent in sample 2, which is consistent with its peaty nature. The principal tree and shrub taxa present are Alnus (alder), Corylus (hazel), Erica (heather) and Pinus (pine). Herbs are of low diversity and are sparse; they comprise representatives of the Caryophyllaceae (chickweeds etc.), Compositae (dandelion etc.) and Gramineae (grasses). The dominance of pteridophyic (fern) spores indicates that the lake was probably shallow and fringed by dense stands of ferns and moss. Alternatively, the main setting or the lake fringes were swampy. The lake or mire was close to land areas supporting herbs and trees. The nature of the pollen/spore flora is consistent with an interglacial setting. The spectrum of pollen and spores is entirely typical of the Flandrian Stage (Godwin, 1975). The prominence of Alnus and Pinus pollen suggest possible deposition in the Atlantic or Sub-Boreal periods of the Flandrian Stage. This interpretation is supported by the preponderance of fern spores, indicating swampy conditions. It is recommended that this contention is tested using radiocarbon dating. 4 Summary The two samples proved to be entirely barren of calcareous faunas, indicating probable decalcification. Diatoms are present throughout and are relatively abundant in sample 1, where a freshwater (lacustrine) environment of late Quaternary age is indicated. The diatoms indicate shallow, slightly alkaline water. Sample 2 yielded poorly-preserved diatoms, which are consistent with freshwater conditions. Both samples produced abundant, typically British interglacial, pollen and spores. Marine forms are absent and hence a lacustrine setting is postulated. Dryopteris spores dominate both samples, and arboreal (tree)/shrub and herb pollen is present in significantly lower proportions. These associations are indicative of a shallow lake, fringed by dense stands of pteridophytes (ferns and mosses). Alternatively, the main lake or the fringes, were swampy. The palynofloras are typical of the Flandrian Stage, possibly the Atlantic or Sub-Boreal periods. 3

8 IR/06/031 Last modified: 2006/03/09 10:40 Appendix 1 Silicofossils SAMPLE MPA (NKG 024): Fragilariophyceae Fragilaria sp. cf. capucina (rare) Bacillariophyceae Cymbella lanceolata (frequent) Diploneis elliptica (common) Frutularia vulgaris (frequent) Pinnularia borealis (rare) Placoneis clementis (rare) Coscinodiscophyceae Stephanodiscus hantzschii (rare) SAMPLE MPA (NKG 025) Bacillariophyceae Frustularia sp. (rare) Coscinodiscophyceae Stephanodiscus sp. (rare Indeterminate fragments Appendix 2 Pollen and spores The pollen and spore associations in the two samples studied are outlined below. The numbers are respectively, the numbers of grains counted and, in parentheses, the overall percentage. Three dots ( ) indicates the absence of the respective taxon. 1 POLLEN GRAINS: MPA MPA a Trees/Shrubs: 4

9 IR/06/031 Last modified: 2006/03/09 10:40 Alnus (alder) 16 (5.2) 12 (3.6) Betula (birch) 3 (1.0) 2 (0.6) Corylus (hazel) 22 (7.1) 14 (4.3) Erica (heather) 27 (8.8) 7 (2.1) Juniperus (juniper) 4 (1.2) Pinus (pine) 14 (4.5) 13 (3.9) Tilia (lime) 1 (0.3) SUBTOTAL 83 (26.9) 52 (15.7) b Herbs: Caryophyllaceae (*) 7 (2.3) 1 (0.3) Compositae (**) - undifferentiated 7 (2.3) 1 (0.3) Gramineae (grasses) 2 (0.6) 1 (0.3) Succisa (devil s bit scabious) 5 (1.6) SUBTOTAL 21 (6.8) 3 (0.9) 2 SPORES: Dryopteris (buckler fern) 166 (53.7) 179 (54.3) Polypodium (polypody fern) 22 (7.1) 8 (2.4) Lycopodium (***) 1 (0.3) Selaginella (****) 1 (0.3) 3 (0.9) Sphagnum (sphagnum moss) 16 (5.2) 84 (25.5) SUBTOTAL 205 (66.3) 275 (83.4) * - chickweeds, stitchworts and campions ** - daisies, dandelions and thistles now termed the Asteraceae *** - club mosses/ground pines **** - club mosses, spike mosses etc. 5

10 IR/06/031 Last modified: 2006/03/09 10:40 5 References GODWIN, H The history of the British flora. A factual basis for phytogeography. Second edition. Cambridge University Press, 541 p. RIDING, J. B. and KYFFIN-HUGHES, J. E A review of the laboratory preparation of palynomorphs with a description of an effective non-acid technique. Revista Brasileira de Paleontologia, No. 7(1),